Athlete Protection Policy

 

RAC supports USA Swimming’s athlete protection programs and believes strongly in promoting a positive, safe environment for our athletes, coaches and volunteers. As a result, RAC has established the following conduct policies consistent with USA Swimming’s Athlete Protection policies (Article 305 of USA Swimming’s Rulebook).2

Athlete Protection

  1. Inappropriate touching between an athlete and an adult non-athlete member or Participating Non-Member (as defined by USA Swimming3) is prohibited, including, but not limited to, excessive touching, hugging, kissing, sexually oriented behavior, sexually stimulating or otherwise inappropriate games, and having an athlete sit on a non-family member adult’s lap.

  2. Any rubdown or massage performed on an athlete by any adult member or Participating Non-Member, excluding the spouse, parent, guardian, sibling, or personal assistant of such athlete, is prohibited unless such adult is a licensed massage therapist or other certified professional.

  3. Any rubdown or massage performed at a swim venue by a licensed professional must be conducted in open/public locations and must never be done with only the athlete and licensed massage therapist in the room. Even if a coach is a licensed massage therapist, the coach shall not perform a rubdown or massage of an athlete under any circumstances.

  1. Any sexual conduct, advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards an athlete by (i) a coach or other non-athlete member of USA Swimming, or (ii) any Participating Non-Member is prohibited.

  2. Any non-consensual physical sexual conduct, or pattern of unwelcome advances or other sexual harassment in connection with or incidental to a RAC or USA Swimming-related activity by any person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming (whether such person is a member or not) directed toward any member or other person participating in the affairs or activities of RAC or USA Swimming.

  3. Use of audio or visual recording devices, including a cell phone camera, is not allowed in changing areas, rest rooms or locker rooms at Radnor High School or any other venue in which RAC athletes participate in RAC, SAL or USA Swimming activities (including but not limited to practices and meets).

  4. RAC employees and volunteers of USA Swimming, LSCs and member clubs who interact directly and frequently with athletes as a regular part of their duties must be non- athlete members of USA Swimming and satisfactorily complete criminal background checks as required by USA Swimming. This does not apply to volunteers such as timers, marshals, computer operators, etc. who only have limited contact with athletes during a meet.

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2 In the event USA Swimming updates these policies, RAC’s policy will automatically be interpreted and administered in accordance with these updates.

3 Consistent with USA Swimming guidelines, a “Participating Non-Member is defined as an athlete, coach, manager, official, and member of any committee, as well as any person participating in any capacity in the affairs and/or attending activities of USA Swimming or RAC, whether such person is a member of USA Swimming or not.